Many things have broken...

 First off, the library socks are on indefinite pause due to the wood needle I was trying to use proved to be less sturdy than I thought. Me and my iron grip broke one of the needle tips and I had to transfer both socks to DPNs and put it on hold. I don't have enough DPNs of the right size to do them together and don't trust my gauge doing them separately so they are put aside for now.

Second broken thing is Blogger. It won't let me format photos side by side any longer using the standard method I've been using for the past ten years. So I'm looking for another blog site that is free which is a very long process. This is what I get when I shift the right photo to the right hand margin. There is no help on forums for this issue and at the most what I get is 'send a message through the feedback using a screenshot'. 

So I just did that and they will see the content of this page as I was editing. So will see what happens.

Will update knitting things on my facebook page.

Hasta la knitter baby....

A little progress, then a little regress

 I have been stalling on working on the 'Library' sock pattern, the mint green ones because I was trying to use a 32" needle for both socks. It was crimping the cable join badly and I didn't (still don't) have a longer cable to use. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I used another 32" needle and finished the heels doing that. The small issue was, the other one is a slightly larger needle. The lace needle I'm using is a size 1 but 2.25 and the other one is 2.50, yes it makes a difference. Not too bad a difference so  I used the larger needle for the front of the sock in the pattern. I then decided, due to various frustrations with that single ball, to cut the yarn after the heel was finished and wind to smaller balls.

I also moved both socks back onto the single needle. After starting the pattern all the way around the leg I realized... four rows back I had decreased the stitches to 32 on the second needle. It was default for me but it messes up the pattern. It's supposed to be 34 on each side. So I am now TINKing the rows to get back to where I decreased the stitches. I am also going to cut the yarn again where I had used an 'invisible/magic' knot because a knot in a sock is not good. I'm going to overlap the yarns instead. I tried doing the spit friction join and it didn't felt well.

All my other projects are in a hold pattern because I was not feeling the knitting bug when it got to be 99 outside. Nights are cooling down wonderfully now but temps are going to go back up next week. Yuck. 

And of course, all kinds of yarn places are having a sale this weekend KP has a sale on 22 new colors of the Stroll sock yarn, I found out that Arcane Fibreworks has free shipping on ALL orders... dangerous that is. And Amazon has Super Saver on sale at prices I remember from 2000 close to $3.99 a skein. 

I DON'T NEED MORE YARN!

Said no one ever.

I do, however need that longer needle for sure to do two socks at a time. I have some money now so will be looking into that. Knitting....garden....knitting....garden...... decision, decisions....

That's my quick update for now. Pictures  of projects when there's more progress.

Another yarn matched to pattern

 Many years ago I designed a pair of fingerless gloves using some cotton/wool yarn that Beverly's carried briefly.

This is the Fern Garden Glove and I don't remember knitting a second one. I knitted this up, wrote the pattern as I went and then put it up on Ravelry (and at the time my etsy shop) for just the pattern. I adapted that edging from one that was done in all garter stitch and after looking at the pattern now, I could not figure out what the heck I was doing. It didn't make sense compared to the original pattern and I may well have missed a stitch or two in translation. No one ever contacted me about the pattern so maybe it worked. That edging is knitted lengthwise with the connecting edge as the first stitch in the row. Just pick up the stitches needed for the glove and continue on. Relatively easy knit actually and wonderful stitch pattern with my favorite leaf pattern on the back and a small mock cable on the palm.

The yarn was fine, from an American farm called Cestari that is now strictly online (I think they're still in business). They only had wool/cotton or all wool yarns milled in the US. Although not ideal for the pattern it worked out and it gave me a chance at the time to use a different yarn. 

After seeing the pictures several times looking for other things on my computer I wanted to remake the pattern in another yarn so I could put it up for sale again on Ravelry but didn't think I had the right yarn until I remembered this:

Another gifted yarn that unfortunately also had issues with breakage or it might have been me not cutting the ties correctly but I ended up tying it together in about four places, plus two more that were actually moth eaten. I could not in conscience use this wonderful soft yarn for socks. SW Merino, Yak and Silk it is soft and springy and wonderful greens. FERN GARDEN greens. PERFECT!

So then after winding it three times I had one short piece I could do a test on for the original edging. Not so easy. I couldn't figure it out so went in search of a similar edging that was already in stockinette.

And found it. Another vintage edging that dates probably from the 40's or 50's so had to look up what one of the abbreviations was.They used N for knit two together and o for yarn over. Other than that, it's a simple enough pattern but instead of knitting whatever length of trim you needed, this is knitted from the bottom edge to the selvedge.

I like it better because it's narrower and it's a bit m ore fern like as a leaf. I knitted up a swatch not knowing the configuration and when I ran out of yarn I realized I had only done one leaf section. So instead of casting on 10 for the edging and continue on until you finish the section you need, this has to be cast on for the total number of stitches needed for the length of trim. Much like the difference between knitting a scarf long ways and not crossways.

Oh and Rocky discovered the kumquat I knitted. Didn't realize what he was playing with until I caught him and saw the orange. Ohhhhnoyoudont, I hid it better this time and am now making a small ball for him. 

When I get going on the gloves I'll post some pictures.

A silly idea and a yarn sale

 So socks are coming along nicely, I'm able to switch between them now easily. The green socks are my 'no brainer' pattern since it's only four row repeat I can work on those and watch tv or whatever. The blue socks are a bit slower due to the darkness of the yarn and a bit more complicated pattern. Haven't picked up the hat in a couple of weeks.

 

I made a crocheted kumquat!

But first an explanation. So, my loving man Jon has a silly thing he says sometimes when groceries or food is mentioned. 'Kumquats. I love kumquats'. He doesn't. He just likes saying the word. This got him in a little bit of trouble when he was working because someone took him seriously and bought a 1/2 lb of kumquats for him. He had to tell them that it was a personal joke and wasn't serious which the person was rather disappointed to find out. Anyway, when we met and he said that I asked him, 'You do?!' (because I like kumquats and it would have been another food that we both like) and he said no and then told me that story.

So, I told him about a week ago 'Better watch out I'm going to knit or crochet a kumquat for your birthday', which he chuckles and says I'm silly. Well, I was sitting at my computer last night and it suddenly struck me that I had the perfect yarn scrap for doing just that. 

As you know, my only experience with crocheting so far is the cat bed and a section of a blanket. Well, if I remembered how to do that sliding magic circle I can do this! Turns out that scrap ball of yarn had just enough green on the end to make this a perfect match for the project. Getting that magic circle started was a pain and I didn't count the stitches, just winged it. Not an exact replica but it's good enough. I have enough to do another one or two using a size 2 hook since this is sock yarn. I am so pleased with how I just guessed at increases and decreases and muddled through. I stuffed it with cotton balls we have in the medicine cabinet and I don't think he has a clue I made it. He rarely pays attention to what I'm knitting unless I point it out. His birthday is in August so this is going to be so fun! 

Now on to the yarn sale. Knitpicks is still having their summer yarn  sale darn them! But the new colorways for the Arcane Fibreworks Yarn Club started and I want one of all three!

Seriously! I love the grey/lavender (light colors) the blue is gorgeous and the orange/green/speckle being a california poppy inspiration is a must have. As I've pointed out before, the price for the yarn is very reasonable being hand dyed. I just wish I had $40 extra to get some! I am a responsible yarn collector and would have to have a project first to use it. Stop laughing!

The thing about the yarn club is you can gift someone a subscription HINT heheh. I know everyone that reads this is as broke as I am but these are soooo preetty!

That's all for today, it feels good to have things to work on in a short time. Hope all your yarn doesn't tangle and your blocking successful!

 

 

Still chugging along sort of

 Of course, when I have no money, Knit Picks is having a huge sale on yarn. Sock yarn is half off and some colors are 60% off. Dangit! Not that I need more yarn of course but..

First, there is progress but slow on the blue wave sock project, managing two balls of yarn on a project like this is not for the easily frustrated. I discovered a thin spot in the stitches, luckily had only gone that round before I noticed it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And I blame knitting at night in low light to not seeing it until the next day under my desk lamp. I only had to back off the front and that back side to get the yarn to a position to use the 'Magic Knot' to fix it. 

Major structural failure. I thought it was just the plastic coating that was coming off so I was trying to kind of inch it back to the joint. Then, as I was knitting I felt it being sharp and saw this. That is a multi-strand metal cable that seems to be about as thin as sewing thread. Probably three strands twisted together so only one was left. I wondered if it was the way I was knitting and cramping that joint under my little finger all the time. I composed myself, took pictures and then fed it onto another needle. The only one I had left was the wooden one also from KP and it is very much not good for this project. The cable is fatter and the needles are varnished wood so they do not slide as well. I contacted customer service (this happened a week ago) and was told another cable would be shipped out within 7 days. Confirmed my address with them and according to the package tracking it left Columbus, OH the day after my request was processed so I should have it by Monday. Oh well. I think it's going by ground transit. Really.

I remember in the early days of the company they had issues with the purple cables pulling out of the socket entirely. I have an old one that I still have that was separating and instead of getting a new replacement I just got out the super glue equivalent and glued it back in. Easy fix. If it had come apart on a project (as it has happened before) that would be annoying but still be solved easily.

As for the cat bed, no progress on that but have done a few rows on the hat. In a kind of creative slump the last week or two and that happens. It's gotten very warm so that takes a toll on sitting and knitting as well as moods.

 

That's it for the crafty yarn hobbies for this week. Not much going on for progress just had to chronicle the excitement for the week. Happy crafting! May your yarn never tangle and your needles be sharp (and hook be handy).

Embarking on an idea or two

 So, I started the stocks using the blue Tofutsies and after finishing the toes started a search for just the right stitch to make it look like waves. Well..... harder than you would think when I don't have my three or four stitch encyclopedias handy. 

I did find a copy of Charlene Schurch's 'Sensational Knitted Sock through the library (same one I have in storage) and looked at all the sock examples, mostly variations on ribs, very little lace and then saw one toward the back that I thought would be perfect, except that it wouldn't fit in my stitch count. At least easily.

It's a pretty stitch but it's an 11 stitch repeat which does not fit well on the even number of stitches despite her instructions about just making them wider or whatever. Not happening.

I decided to go online and found the Lacy Mock Cable at KnittingStitches.org

That site is a fantastic source of stitch patterns not just for the number but they also adapt the patterns to in the round. Have to kind of search for them sometimes but some of them have the alternate in the description to click on. This one is an 8 stitch repeat which is perfect for my stitch count of 64. Each of the 'cables' is six stitches with two purls on either side. The flat version is 8 stitches +2 repeat and starts with purl 2 as the extra stitches. If you've done this before, converting a flat to in the round, you drop the extra stitches and just knit the pattern as written.

Before I found the one they did I had already adapted it for my stitch count (and frankly better for my situation at least). So, here comes my idea: Design the sock pattern, work it up with directions and then make it a PDF. So far that is a much prettier stitch than what I'm getting on my blue socks. Still rather early as you can see by the photo up above, but will be using the Sheepicorn yarn for a second pair that will actually fit me. The blue ones I think are turning out a tad narrow due to using tight knitting and a size 1 needle. I'm not going to detail my adaptations and instructions here until it's all done and completed but will hopefully give updates once in a while.

That's all I've been working on lately. I have the hat, the green pair of socks, and the cat bed currently active. Everything else is on hold so I can at least get to the heel on these and then maybe work on the green socks and start the Sheepicorn ones. I may contact a friend or two to do a read of the pattern to make sure I'm clear enough on it before publishing. 

Oh! I also came up with something new for me. Everyone always says to do a gauge swatch which is true, you should, but also what about a stitch swatch?

 

A SockSwatch© (will be coming up with a fun logo for that too) is to get the feel for the way the stitch pattern works up. You can see in my sample that the darker color doesn't show the stitches as well as the light colors so that's a big tell right there. But what this also does is get the stitch sequences into muscle memory before you start on your project. I didn't do an actual sock toe because...why? It's for the stitch pattern not for the sock fit so I cast on the number of stitches in my pattern (I did JMCO because I didn't feel like doing a tube) and knitted about an inch before starting the stitch pattern. 

It seems kind of redundant to do that but it really does get you in the rhythm of the pattern so it flows better on the actual project. 

Looking forward to seeing what else I can figure out for socks and maybe even hats!

New toys for yarn management!

 So I had just a tiny bit of spare change and bought a small digital kitchen scale to at least try and divvy up balls equally for doing two socks. With tax and free shipping from Amazon, only about $10 and change. Back lit display, can change to whatever weight measure you want, yada yada so handy dandy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First test was a success with the Tofutsies in the blue/black/turquoise which I am going to name 'Deep Blue Sea'. Had started to roll it on my thumb already about halfway and when the scale got here I weighed both parts on the scale and (much like a 2x4 is no longer that dimension) it was only 96 gr. Ball band of course said 100. I then weighed just the one I had already wound, it was only off by about 4 gr. I then wound a little more, and a little more until it got to the halfway point, cut and then wound the second one since my other toys hadn't arrived yet.

Ball winder and swift again from Amazon not as cheap but on the cheap side and it came with 12 balls of 'wool'(chunky weight). No description, nothing on the tags, it is soft and squishy so therefore will assume it is acrylic or polyester. According to the reviews it was mostly favorable but one person complained that the instructions were not very good. I'm sorry, I had no problems figuring out either of them. If you've put together anything from Ikea, this was a cinch. The real problem is finding sufficient space and surface to attach both of them.

I started with the worst possible yarn, that turquoise slippery yarn I had used on a hat for Katie years ago. It was horrid. As the ball got bigger it would slide off the top or the bottom and not stay on the ball. I had to go really slow and then finally just pulled it off and wound the rest by hand. Bleh. Oh and leaving a tail for a center pull, totally did not work because the yarn kept slipping and obscured the hole and even the tail I had held out. The next test was the blue/gold sock yarn that I had started a sock and decided to not. That was at least in a ball and so I taped the end onto the base of the spool and wound it. Again, the winder is not consistent even with me providing intermediate tension. Finally got to the break on that, tied the ends together and continued but it was a chore that was more difficult than it should have been.

Alrighty, on to the big test, an actual skein of yarn. I chose the red white and blue sparkly that turned out to be another disaster.

 The set up I was able to achieve, it will do, there's enough space between the bed and the cubbies to stand and manage the yarn. Just can't leave it up.

Unfortunately, I had messed with the skein previously so it was not a nice neat skein fresh off the shelf. I had already cut some of the strings holding it together (mistake two) and then cut the final one and somehow I ended up with four ends including the one connected to the ball I was winding. I started winding anyway, cautiously and carefully, with one notable problem. There isn't enough friction or drag on the swift so if you start winding fast it runs faster and you end up with slack. I had to use the back of my arm as a clutch of sorts so it didn't go spinning out of control. This causes an issue with the ball on the winder.... and I had to rewind a few passes. I even used the ball band wrapped around the spindle with the end of the yarn taped to it for security.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How it ended. There was a tangle of yarn on the swift with the working yarn I had getting caught on what looked like some runs that were doubled back. No choice but to cut it loose and try to untangle.

There is approximately 70 gr of yarn in the ball. Should be more than enough to do a pair of summer socks at least. I tried and tried to untangle this but gave up when my hands started hurting. Another frustration was my hands were dry and had bits of skin catching on the yarn. The remaining mess is now balled up in one of my boxes of other yarn. Just not in a mood to deal with it tonight.

So that's my excitement for today in Yarn Adventures. And yes, I am starting another pair of socks because....just because it's pretty!

 

Much happenings, socks are finished!

 The weather is good, nice springtime weather and perfect for sitting on a front porch or out under a tree to knit. Neither of which I have so I do it inside when my cat is doing something else and not wanting to sit in my lap. I finished the orange socks from hell!

Sweet peas are blooming like crazy so for Mother's Day I gifted my daughter a bouquet and gave her the finished orange socks (that is the worst pair I have ever done!). One is shorter than the other both above and on the foot. I cautioned my daughter about that and she said they fit fine (I know she lied but it's fine). So at least I know her sock size, somewhere between those two.

Another skill unlocked! I learned how to ball a skein of yarn without benefit of winder or swift! First up was the Sheepicorn from Lazer Sheep yarns. A bit more of a flat ball than tall but it works. 

I think I tackled the Happy Valley first then Sheepicorn and then Eliot. I re-rolled the Happy Valley because that was just a mess (worse than the picture). So I have three new balls of yarn where there were three skeins, Huzzah! 

I pulled the blue/gold frankensock off my needles because it just wasn't feeling right. I frogged the 'red scarf' I was going to gift a friend and sadly, I found out that she died in a horrid car/truck accident three weeks ago. I now have two small balls of the comfy fingering in red, have no idea what to do with them. 

 

I wish I had my photo box set up permanently to get better pictures. Had to close the blinds to get a better coloring on the multi and the Eliot. Yellow light coming in from the window shifts the colors really bad but this is close to what they are. I am discovering that knitting two socks from inside and outside of a ball is.... mildly frustrating when the yarns get twisted. those are coming along nicely though and really happy with the idea that they will be identically sized and finished at the same time. 

The Eliot and Happy Valley I really wanted to use together and as a thank you to my loving son for helping me out I wanted to do a hat. If I had those colors in a worsted weight or even DK, finding a hat pattern would have been easy. But nooooo I have fingering weight and there are very very few patterned hats for fingering weight yarn. Why? Because tiny yarn makes tiny stitches and for lonnng time knitting something. God bless the people that make adult pullover sweaters in sock yarn.

I had the brainstorm of trying to make a hat with the green being trees and the purple being background/sky. No such luck, sure I could try and work the details out myself and being reluctant to do colorwork, options were extremely limited. I saw a pattern that had alternating color ribbing to start and for whatever reason I have no idea where I saw it. Was going to use that as a start and then figure something out for the body of the hat.

I decided on doing a knit below stitch combined with a twisted rib (knit through the back loop) stitch brim. Despite starting on 16" cable, since this is fingering weight it was still too long so I switched to a 32" and magic loop. The colors really suck in that picture, like I said very hard to get accurate coloring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also picked up two more knitting books from the library after returning the previous one, 250 Japanese Knitting Stitches (really crazy all over amazing stuff) and Sock Yarn Studio which had again, limited hat choices for adults that was anything but normal every day patterns. I actually have the Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible in storage and thought that's what this was. Both books are more for inspiration than an actual pattern to use.

I realized after looking through the Japanese stitches and then looking at the hat brim I ahve, they incorporate a LOT of knit through the back loop for their raised 'rib' stitches. It creates a clean and neat line where the standard k1p1 rib is a bit more rounded. It's an interesting effect and at some point when I use some worsted or dk weight yarn will have to give it a try.

I found tons and tons of patterns for brioche hats that are gorgeous in two colors but honestly... brioche is still intimidating for me so will see what I end up with. I still have four more inches of the hat brim to go before I consider the body pattern.

I may just start on another pair of socks in that Sheepicorn for my daughter or her oldest offspring. Or maybe the blue and purple Tofutsies that I wanted to do as well. So many options!

It's good and it's frustrating having so many options because I have so many projects that could also be finished waiting in plastic bags.

 

 

 

Kitting fairy gift and new skill unlocked

 A knitting fairy enabled me to make some purchases on knitpicks (I have many knitting friends that help me out). I got a lace knitting kit and two other fixed circulars of the wooden type that I always wanted to try. I didn't really need more yarn but had to find something and saw something that looked nice and bought it.

New needles for either lace or socks, most likely socks. The Options set can only be used with those tips because they are sized that way but that's all right. The yellow wood is the Sunstruck style and the other is Painted wood, size 2 and 1 respectively
 

This is what I thought I was getting. Nothing too dark, nice multi colors and would make a nice pair of socks.

This is what I got. That is not a Happy Valley, that is a Dark Valley at sunset. I just emailed the company with my complaint, they're usually pretty good on customer service as I told them I would be happy to send them an image of what I received. That picture is on my white desk with an overhead light and an open window with natural light coming in. Can't say it's dark because of lighting.

In other news, I am almost done with the second orange sock. Only six more rows until I change to two rows of orange and then two of multi and then the cuff yay! I tried to resist starting another project but wanted to try doing two socks at a time. The video I found made it look relatively straightforward even for toe up. I just so happened to have ordered that lace knit kit that has a 40" cable.

Test project with the sparkly sock yarn, got the muscle memory figured out then cut that loose and remembered the wonderful light colored 'rainbow sherbet' yarn that was already caked with both ends available. A bit fiddly with the yarn ends all over the place but I managed to make a tiny center pull ball from the inside yarn so I could free up the outside end. There's a video about making a center pull yarn, and although it's educational, a bit dicey using this small a yarn but it worked. I just tucked it into the center making sure the yarn was pulling free.

Will update on that once I have more of the toe done, but also want to see about a not very lacy but cool stitch for the top of the foot and leg. Even as exciting as that yarn is visually, still want to dress it up a bit, which brings me to another happy acquisition. A library card to check out knitting books!

Not the book I wanted but the only one my local library had, I've already marked pages of stitches I'm considering. Even with this, I'm still whining about not having my three stitch encyclopedias with three pages of different rib patterns.

I'll figure something out, but it's not going to be anything too complicated due to having two different socks going on at the same time and I don't like anything bulky in my shoe part. 

So that's my knitting update, really excited about doing two socks at a time as that will cut the finish time in half hopefully.